 A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty hyo silver! The Lone Ranger! Before this exciting adventure, a word from our sponsor. General Mills, makers of Cheerios, the ready-to-eat Oats cereal that gives you go-power, and Wheaties, the breakfast of champions, present by special recording, The Lone Ranger! And that's the truth. Take California champions, for instance. Now, way out west, you'll hear us talking about a quarterback we call Van Brockland, a passing star with Wheaties' style who throws that ball a country mile. And Duke Snyder, too, is a West Coast man, a fancy slugger, and a Wheaties fan who takes his bat and scares them all when he knocks the hide right off the ball. Now, these two champions know that there's big energy in their favorite cereal because there's a whole kernel of wheat in every Wheaties' flake. Wheaties, breakfast of champions! With his faithful Indian companion, Toto, the daring and resourceful mask rider of the plains led the fight for law and order in the early Western United States. Nowhere in the pages of history can one find a greater champion of justice. Now, to those thrilling days of yesteryear, from out of the past come the thundering hoofbeats of the great horse, Silver! The Lone Ranger rides again! Come on, Silver! Let's go, people! I am Silver! Boys poured out of the pot hook bunkhouse as soon as they heard the shooting out on the range, when a band of hooded black-poked riders were already circling the bunkhouse and the men were driven back inside. They are besieged for two hours and then as suddenly as they had come, the hooded riders disappeared into the night. Hank Greenway, who had bought the pot hook only a month before, had made his money in land speculation and his reputation as a politician. He was in San Felipe on the night of the raid and rode out to the ranch the next morning. He found his foreman and his nearest neighbor, Jake Webb of the Lazy W, studying the ground in front of the ranch house. Howdy, boss. Morning, Evans. Morning, Webb. Howdy. I guess you've heard. Yes, I've heard. How many had we lose? Only 50, boss. Shorty's pinter was shot and he got a bullet in his shoulder. You were lucky, Hank. Lucky? Why didn't you trail the rustlers, Jim? They had a big start on us, boss. We lost the trail in the hills. How long has this sort of thing been going on here? We haven't been troubled with rustlers for a long time, but it may be more than rustlers we have to contend with. How do you figure that? Look here. Look what one of them scratched on the ground. Hmm. Just a lot of lines. It's supposed to be a spider's web. There's a T in the middle. It stands for the tarantula. Who says it does? Well, you must have heard of the tarantula, boss. I know he's been accused of every unsolved crime in the territory, but personally, I don't believe there is such a person, boss. What I mean is he can't be to blame for everything he's accused of. But this raid last night, there were 30 men that was well-organized. A spider's web? Hmm. Your name is Web Jake. You're not accusing me of it? No, no, no. I have a better idea. Those black cloaks in the hoods. That's the kind of a fancy rigmarole that would appeal to foreigners. Foreigners? There are no foreigners around here. What about Don Rodrigo, Silvato, Martinez? They're American citizens. They're father-swear legions. And Congress was stupid enough to recognize their old Spanish grants. And let them keep their land. But they never liked their ranchers being cut down to the original size. Once they owned this whole valley, they'd like nothing better than to get it back. The more I think of it, the more likely it seems. Rodrigo, Silvato, Martinez. They could get together, dress their men up in black cloaks in the hood, leave the sign of the tarantula behind them so they wouldn't be suspected. And then go on to rob us blind. Strip us of our cattle so we'd have to sell out to the broad dime on the dollar. You've only lost 50 heads so far. Well, we'll see what happens from now on. You'll see that I'm right. Events seemed to fulfill Greenway's prophecy. There were more raids. The next attack was on the Lazy W by the same black-robed men. 100 head were driven off. Then came raids on the Circle A, the Arrow and the Diamond T. And wherever Greenway went in San Felipe, he voiced his accusations. Juan Rodrigo, Silvato, Martinez. They haven't lost a head. But there's always a sign of the tarantula, Mr. Greenway. All right, go ahead. Believe in your phony bad man if you want him. I'm getting in touch with Washington. I'm going to the Capitol myself. I'm going to demand that those old land grants be canceled. It was on the same day that the Lone Ranger rode into San Felipe. He wore trail clothes, a stained deerskin jacket, and his face was covered by a heavy growth of black beard. With Tato's help, he had assumed the appearance of a man called Tex Rafferty. The Lone Ranger was offering himself as a target in order to learn the tarantula's real identity. As he rolled down the main street of San Felipe, his hat was pulled down over his eyes. His shoulders were hunched and he slumped in the saddle. A big man who seemed to be trying to make himself as small as possible. Well, that would be easy. But he dismounted in front of one of the busiest cafes and entered the place. He had to force his way to the bar. Pardon me, please. Thank you. Pardon me. Well, what'll it be, stranger? I'd like some information. Hey, you're not a stranger. Oh, who says I'm not? I do. I've never seen you before in my life. Well, I've seen you. I guess you've never been in San Felipe before. I didn't say that. No. No derango. What about derango? There was a bank hold up there about a year ago. Four men took part in it. Three of them belonged to the tarantula's gang. The fourth was a big Texan. Well, sir, this Texan double crossed the others. They were killed and he made off with all the loot. The next day there was a note pinned to the sheriff's door. It said, you leave Tex Rafferty to me and we're signed with the tarantula's way. That's interesting. Yeah. The tarantula swore to kill Tex Rafferty. You've got a lot of nerve, mister. Thanks, though. Coming back here? Well, maybe you haven't heard that the tarantulas operate in these fights. Thanks. You've given me all the information I need. The lone ranger allowed himself to be seen in most of the cafes in town. From the glances and whispers, he knew that he had been identified in each of them as Tex Rafferty. His next move was to rent a room in Mrs. O'Brien's boarding house on the edge of town. Then the lone ranger left his saddlebags and brought out of town to the woods where Tonto had made camp. Ho, ho, ho. What happened, Kimo Tubby? Hey, this guy's worked. You think I'm Tex Rafferty? That mean tarantula try kill you. There's a strange situation in town, Tonto. Some people think it isn't the tarantula who's behind the raids on the Valley Ranchers. A man named Greenway has accused Don Rodriguez of being responsible. Oh, that's not so. Him, good man. And a fine American. No, I don't believe it. I think we've come to the right place to find the tarantula. Oh, now about tonight. I'm at Mrs. O'Brien's boarding house. It's on the ground floor in the back. The window will be open. The bed can be seen easily. If someone tries to kill me, you must follow him. Sooner or later, he'll report to the tarantula and that will give us a clue we need. You be careful, Kimo Tubby. Yes, Tonto. I intend to be. The sky was cloudy that night. Shortly before 12, the man dismounted near the stables in the rear of Mrs. O'Brien's boarding house. He crept around the corner of the stables and stopped for a moment to watch the house. There was only one light upstairs. The man walked straight to an open window on the lower floor. Inside the room, he could see a cot in a bulky form beneath the blankets. The man took a pencil out of his pocket and drew the picture of a spider's web on the window sill. In the center, he placed a T. Then he unholstered his gun, took deliberate aim at the bed and fired six shots into the blankets. He turned and ran, leaped to a saddle and galloped away. A moment later, Mrs. O'Brien knocked on the door of the Lone Ranger's room. Mr. Smith! Are you all right? Mr. Smith! We'll continue our Lone Ranger adventure in just a moment. Gee man, Jimmy is eight years old. He is strong and he is bold. He can capture outlaws cause he knows. He's got go power from Cheerios. Yes, he's got go power. There he goes. He's feeling his Cheerios. Cheerios. Cheerios. That's Cheerios, all right. The nourishing old cereal that shaped like little letter O's. The ready-to-eat cereal with a wonderful toasted old flavor. What's more, every delicious spoonful of Cheerios and milk is real muscle-building food. That's right, each spoonful contains vitamins, minerals and proteins your body needs. And these good things in a Cheerios breakfast do good things for your body. Help you have healthy nerves, good red blood, strong bones and muscles. Yes, Cheerios is made to give you real go power. So try Cheerios. The famous old cereal that needs no cooking. And soon you'll hear people say... He's feeling his Cheerios. Now to continue. As Mrs. O'Brien continued to knock on the door of his room, the Lone Ranger rose from a chair in the far corner. Are you all right? Yes, Mrs. O'Brien, I'm fine. Oh, I heard Susan. Someone outside. I'll be leaving early in the morning. Oh, good luck to you then. Good night. The Lone Ranger fingered the bullet holes in the blanket. That's the end of taxorapathy. The rest is up to Tonneau. The Lone Ranger lit a lamp. He hurried and changed his clothes. Then he adjusted his mask and sat by the window, waiting. It was nearly morning when he heard Tato outside. He slipped through the window and hurried to the Indian side. Well, Tato? Me follow, Moraik. Where'd he lead you? You know Waterfall on Don Rodriguez' land? Yes, there's a cave behind it, isn't there? Ah, this fellow ride through Waterfall into cave. Me wait, but he soon him come out with other fellow. First fellow head back to town. Me follow, second fellow. Good idea. Him ride to Potthoch Ranch. Potthoch? Ah, Greenway owns it. Could that be the answer to the whole mystery? Me not know. But the two men met in the cave behind the Waterfall on Don Rodriguez' property. Ah, man plenty afraid when him go there. Hmm, when it's true what they've been saying about the Don. Kim Sabi, me remember about cave. They're tunnel lead from cave to cellars under Rancho. Yes, I remember Don Rodriguez speaking about it. Me wonder what in cave now? So do I. It's nearly morning, too late to investigate it now. We'll have to do it tonight. Ah, that'd be good. I'll get Silver saddle and we'll ride back to camp. Patch of heavy woods between the Waterfall and Don Rodriguez' Rancho. It was there the Lone Ranger and Tuttle left Silver and Scouts the following night. They slipped through the pinkling Waterfall and into the cavern behind it. The opening was large enough for a man on horseback, and the cavern itself was huge and echoing. It was also pitch black, but the Lone Ranger had a small lantern and he lit it. Then the mask man and the Indian proceeded to their investigation. The cavern seemed to be completely empty, but as the Lone Ranger held the lantern high, the light fell on two large chests in a far corner. We'll see what's in them. The Lone Ranger held up a black cloak and a hood. Ah, that's what tarantulas men wear. Yes, this must be their headquarters. But on Don Rodriguez' property, how does I remember it? There's an iron door that leads him here into the tunnel. I want to look at that door. Let me show you. Get down passage over this way. Tunnel led the way down a narrow, curving passage in the rock wall. There's a bit of heavy iron door barred the way. There. Tunnel beyond door lead to cellars. But this door hasn't been open in years. That's right. That's all I wanted to know. Now we're going to the dungeon. Kimosabi, put out lantern. Men, horses, come into cave. Quickly, the mask man blew out the lantern. He and Tonto waited in the dark passages. More and more men and horses entered the cavern. Finally, they heard a voice raised above the others. That's Greenway. I was standing next to him in a cafe yesterday. Him, Tarantula. All the evidence points that way. He must be. This will be our last job. You know, we'll go after the father tonight. Why, I'm thinking your own spread, boys. Because it's the smart thing to do. You look the fuck out, drive over a few head of cattle. You don't have to do much damage. After you come back here and get ready your cloak to put, I'll ride into town to get the sheriff. My story will be that I followed you to your hideout. I'll show him the cloak, and I'll point out that this is Don Rodrigo's property. The man to be arrested, the old man. You have it. That's all I'll need to pull over my deal with Congress. That means you'll be going straight for us? Only long enough to grab this land. Don't worry, we'll be opening a few more banks before long. All right, let's go. The lone ranger and Tonto watched the men in black hoods and cloaks right away from the opening of the cavern. Then they returned to Silver and Scout. Look, Tonto. There's high rocky ground on the far side of the waterfall. There are the woods on this side. With enough men, we could turn it to ranch of those headquarters into a trap to catch him. And Jake Webb will remember you from the time you warned him of the Apache uprising. Isn't that right? Get to his place as fast as you can. Tell him what we've found out. Ask him to round up as many of the ranchers as he can during the next hour. Lead them to the high ground over there. Add them, leave their horses on the far side of the ridge and take cover among the rock. You go see Don Rodrigo? Yes, at once. I'll have him stationed his men in these woods to wait for the gang's return. They're one thing, Kimosopy. Maybe all men not come back to cave. Maybe Greenway rides straight to town. I'll try to think of a way to lead them all back here. Easy, sir. There were guards at the gate of the Rodrigo Rancho and their guns were drawn as the lone ranger rode up. But they were old servants of the Don and recognized the masked man. They summoned the ranchero. When he had heard the lone ranger's news and his plans for the tarantula's capture, he consented at once. Well, one more detail. Anything you ask, senor. The door that leads into the cavern from the tunnel. It's barred. Oh, see, since the time of the last Indian uprising, it was used to escape from the rancho. I want to use it as an escape from the cave. I do not understand. I'm going to try and lead the whole gang back to the cave. I'm going to let them see me enter it. I'm quite sure they'll come after me. Oh, and you will leave by the tunnel. And bar the door after me. Then your men and the ranchers can seal the opening of the cave with gunfire. Oh, see, the tarantula will be caught in his own web. Let's hope it works out that way. Adios. Bye, Econ Dios. Easy, sir. Once more, the pop hook bunkhouse was being besieged with a pop hook's owner directing the operations. At last, Greenway's lieutenant rode up for the men who had been assigned to driving off the cattle. And now the band was all together once more. Hey, where'd that shot come from? Force at the top of the rise behind us. A rider on a wet horse. All right, get that man. He's going over the ridge. Come on after him. The lone ranger looked back at the outlaw gang as they swept over the rise after him. He judged Silver's pace, so as to keep just out of gun range and he headed straight for Don Rodrigo's property. The outlaws lashed their horses trying to overtake the flying white stallion. At the top of the galley, the outlaws saw the lone ranger standing beside the waterfall. He was dismounted. Silver was just disappearing in the woods and then the lone ranger disappeared. He's gone into the cave. Good, we have him cornered. But boss... What, come on. We're afraid of a cornered rat. We'll get him. The outlaws still wearing their cloaks and hoods dismounted beside the waterfall. Got a command from Greenway. They plunge through the thin veil of the waterfall. Their guns blazing. They search the walls and the floors of the cavern with their bullets until Greenway called the halt. That's enough. You must have got him. That passage over there. He found it. He's in there. He must be. I'll blast him out. There's no one here. The door's still barred. Yeah, but it's been opened. I don't like the looks of this. Let's get out of here. Greenway followed by the outlaw band hurried through the cavern. Just as he reached the watery curtain that covered the opening, a voice stopped him. Boss, that was Jake Webb. He's calling on you to surrender. I'll show him. After me, man. He climbed through the waterfall. At the sight of a footage figure with a six-shooter in either hand, fifty guns blasted the silence of the night and Greenway pitched headfirst into the shallow creek that ran down the hill from the waterfall. The tarantula was dead. With their leader dead, the outlaws had no desire to brave the deadly hail of bullets that were sure to greet them if they tried to escape. They obeyed when Jake Webb ordered them to come out with their hands up. Their hands were tied behind their backs and they were mottled on their horses. The ranchers and Don Rodrigo's men formed a solid guard around them as they headed for town. The tarantula's lieutenant rode between Jake Webb, who led his horse and Don Rodrigo. Don Rodrigo, he's in your evidence field. It's a good thing someone like the Mask Man around to make us realize the truth that it isn't the way a man talks that makes him a good American. It's the way he acts. Uh, Mask Man you're talking about. Did that rider we followed, the one on the white horse, did he wear a mask? Yes, he did. Then he must have been... That's right. He was the Lone Ranger. The Lone Ranger, a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated, was produced by Tremble Campbell Muir Incorporated. A part of the Lone Ranger is played by Brace Beamer, your announcer, Fred Foy. Listen to the Lone Ranger brought to you by Special Recording Mondays through Fridays at this same time.